A 71-year-old local commentator, Wong On-yin, was apprehended by the Hong Kong National Security Department on December 6, following online posts made after a recent fatal fire in Tai Po. Authorities allege the man committed two distinct offenses under the newly enacted Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, commonly known as Article 23, including sedition and the unlawful disclosure of a national security investigation. The arrest marks the first known application of the law’s provision concerning non-interference with ongoing investigations.
The arrest follows a series of online activities allegedly conducted by Wong On-yin in the wake of the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire on November 26. According to police reports, Wong allegedly utilized social media platforms to disseminate content that officials claim was intended to incite public hatred against the Central People’s Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. These posts reportedly included claims suggesting that the governments engineered “chaos via disaster” and implied that Beijing’s support for Hong Kong was merely “theatre,” aiming to fuel anti-government sentiment and social unrest.
Dual Charges Under Safeguarding National Security Ordinance
Senior Superintendent Steve Li of the National Security Department confirmed during a press briefing that Wong is suspected of contravening two sections of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
Firstly, he faces a charge under Section 24 (Sedition), related to the content of his remarks regarding the fire and the government’s response. Authorities contend these statements were designed to incite societal division and hatred.
Secondly, Wong is charged under Section 88, which governs non-interference with investigations into offenses endangering national security. This charge stems from an incident immediately following his attendance at the Mong Kok Police Station on December 2 to assist with prior inquiries. Police allege that the very next day, Wong published a nearly hour-long video on his personal YouTube channel detailing the process, questions, and nature of the national security investigation he had participated in.
Superintendent Li emphasized that officers had explicitly warned Wong during the December 2 meeting about his obligations under Section 88, stressing the need for confidentiality, which Wong allegedly acknowledged. Li characterized the subsequent disclosure as “tipping off” individuals potentially connected to the undisclosed case details. The YouTube video in question has since been removed, reportedly by the uploader.
Implications of Section 88 Enforcement
The use of Section 88 in this arrest is particularly noteworthy, representing the National Security Department’s first application of this specific provision since the ordinance was enacted earlier this year.
Section 88 prohibits, without reasonable excuse or lawful authority, the disclosure of information concerning an ongoing national security investigation, as well as the tampering, concealing, or destroying of related material. Conviction under this section carries a potential maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment. Offences under Section 24 (Sedition) are also punishable by a term of imprisonment.
The arrest of a prominent, veteran public figure under the new ordinance signals an assertive stance by authorities on controlling the flow of information related to high-profile incidents and ongoing investigations. This action emphasizes law enforcement’s zero-tolerance policy toward statements perceived as undermining state authority or domestic security, further defining the boundaries of public discourse under the strengthened national security framework. As the case proceeds, it will serve as a crucial test of the enforcement scope of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.